Carroll says media created White flak

Updated: September 8, 2005, 4:17 PM ET

Arizona State might have found an answer at tailback, while a running back 'controversy' is the talk at USC. Ted Miller has it covered in the Pac-10 notebook.

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By Ted Miller
Special to ESPN.com

It wasn't hard to figure out what was USC coach Pete Carroll's least favorite topic this week. Tailback LenDale White strongly intimated to reporters that he was unhappy with his limited role after the season opener at Hawaii, and Carroll didn't like the ensuing headlines. He suggested reporters badgered the junior and created the controversy.

"LenDale White got asked 30 questions to try to get him to say something," Carroll said. "He was true to his word the whole way through and somebody thinks they got something out of him. The press was really pushing to try to get him to say something negative, and he wouldn't do it."

White had just five carries with the first-team offense and has yielded the No. 1 tailback spot to Heisman Trophy candidate Reggie Bush.

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